Members of the Panda Dance Studio squad show their stuff. (Photo by Kevin Beese/Chronicle Media)

From politicians on the campaign trail to pets on the street, everyone was at least a wee bit Irish at the Forest Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 3.

For nearly 90 minutes Saturday, Shriners, dancers, clowns and bagpipers entertained the masses gathered along Madison Street in the near west suburb as children eagerly waited along the curb for candy to be thrown their way.

Members of the Band of Brothers Pipes and Drums perform during the parade. (Photo by Kevin Beese/Chronicle Media)

Upcoming area St. Patrick’s Day activities include the South Side Irish Parade, the dyeing of the Chicago River and the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The South Side Irish Parade will step off at noon Sunday, March 11 from 103^rd Street and proceed down Western Avenue to 115^th Street.

The dyeing of the Chicago River is planned for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 17 and can be viewed from the east side of Michigan Avenue, the west side of Columbus Drive, and upper and lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.

The Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be at noon on March 17, starting at Balbo and Columbus drives and proceeding north on Columbus.

Dogs head down the parade route as part of the Pet Emporium entry. (Photo by Kevin Beese/Chronicle Media)

Youth on the West Cook YMCA float check out the parade action. (Photo by Kevin Beese/Chronicle Media)

Members of the Proviso East Marching Band perform for the parade crowd. (Photo by Kevin Beese/Chronicle Media)

“The World’s Largest Leprechaun” makes his way along the parade route. He shared jokes with the crowd like “What’s Irish and stays out all night?” “Paddy O’furniture!” (Photo by Kevin Beese/Chronicle Media)

A reveler at the Forest Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes the wearing of the green to a new level. (Photo by Kevin Beese/Chronicle Media)

Crowd members smile after shaking hands with Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Chris Kennedy. (Photo by Kevin Beese/Chronicle Media)

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— Forest Park kicked off the St. Patrick’s Day season Saturday —-